16. America, Fuck Yeah

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A month later Dave gets his break. After an exhausting stress inducing flight, a drug check and another hour in a taxi he finally arrived at James's house. 

"Hi!" The young animator hugs him cheerily. 

"Hello." Dave yawns. 

"Oh- let's get you into bed.  Was your flight bad?"

"Didn't sleep on it. I'm just tired. Thanks James." Dave doesn't even take his clothes off, just gets into the spare bed. As soon as his head hits the pillow he falls asleep. 

The next morning when he goes to find some coffee he enters the kitchen to find Jaiden there. 

"Hi Dave!" She smiles, going to hug him.

"Hey Jaiden. How are you?"

"I'm fine, you? James has just gone out to get some more stuff for breakfast by the way."

"Oh okay. I'm- yeah, I'm alive." He laughs awkwardly. "It's good to see you."

"And you.  So, any news?" Dave locates the coffee and begins to make some.

"Nah, the usual. Shit flight, jetlagged, stressed. Joel's doing fine uh- yeah." What about you? Any news on the Jamesden front?"

"Not too much. Usual relationship stuff. God - we're boring." Dave laughs.

"We really are."

"Oh- I forgot! How's the whole baby thing?" Dave flinches a little at Jaidens harmless question.

"Not well, it's making me stressed. Which won't. Joel's stressed about it too I think. It's tearing me apart a bit - I'm considering giving up." Dave looks at his lap, looking  upset. Jaiden hugs him tightly, wanting to cheer him up.

"Giving up for a while might be best for both of your healths. Besides, if you're both happier and more relaxed it might happen naturally." Dave smiles weakly.

"Yeah, you're right. I'll wait a little longer but I'm hurting myself and others with it."

"You're doing the right thing. I'm always here to talk if you want."

"Thank you Jaiden, you're very sweet." She smiles and blushes lightly.

"Thank you."

A few days later the three youtubers are sitting in Jaidens living room. She's tucked herself under James's arm while he plays mario kart with Dave. The older man watches smiling at how cute his friends are together. Jaiden is working on a video on her tablet, and whenever she moves James does too, so they can both be comfortable. In between games he gently kisses her forehead or hair, and she Purvis him quickly before continuing with her drawing. 

Dave feels a pang of sadness. He never got to properly experience the 'sweet new lovers' phase. Sure, Joel had tried but he was in such a messy place with his mental health and self worth they had to sacrifice it to make Dave healthier. They'd, in a way, jumped straight to the 'we've been together for ages' stage, as they were weirdly mean, in sync and not always just cute and touchy. Joel and Dave have become more cuddly over the years funnily enough.

He hopes that, even though he and Joel didn't get their touchy bonding time, they'll get it with their child. He knows that he as their mom will already be quite bonded to them for the 9 months carrying time, but Joel will need more physical dad-baby contact.

"Hey Dave, another game?" James snaps him out of his little bubble.

"Oh, sure. After this should we get food?"

"Uh, Jaiden?" 

"Yep." She says absentmindedly. "Food. Yep." 

"She's not paying attention. Sure, food sounds good." James grins.

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